What do you think?
Rate this book
The Steps We Take
A mother will do anything to keep her family safe
Maeve’s daughter, Mila, was a happy teenager until the bullying started.
But the very day Mila fights back, one of her tormentors goes missing.
With Mila under suspicion and gossip raving, Maeve decides to trace her daughter’s missing classmate.
But the more she probes, the more everyone around her seems to have something to hide – even her step-son and partner at home.
And when Mila secretly starts texting with someone offering a way out, Maeve will have to act fast to keep her out of danger and her family together.
Maeve’s daughter, Mila, was a happy teenager until the bullying started.
But the very day Mila fights back, one of her tormentors goes missing.
With Mila under suspicion and gossip raving, Maeve decides to trace her daughter’s missing classmate.
But the more she probes, the more everyone around her seems to have something to hide – even her step-son and partner at home.
And when Mila secretly starts texting with someone offering a way out, Maeve will have to act fast to keep her out of danger and her family together.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2022
159 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Garbin
13 books102 followersVanessa lives with her husband and their three children by the sea in Western Australia.
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading a good book with her cat Bruce curled on her lap.
Vanessa worked as a bookseller for several years and enjoyed being surrounded by books of all genres.
Her favourite authors are John Steinbeck, Daphne Du Maurier and Ray Bradbury, and in more recent times, Shari Lapena, Claire McGowan and Kimberly Belle.
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading a good book with her cat Bruce curled on her lap.
Vanessa worked as a bookseller for several years and enjoyed being surrounded by books of all genres.
Her favourite authors are John Steinbeck, Daphne Du Maurier and Ray Bradbury, and in more recent times, Shari Lapena, Claire McGowan and Kimberly Belle.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 14, 2025
3.5 stars. I’m not one for high school drama. I disliked it when I went through the system and anything having to do with it bores me nowadays. When I read the description, I was anticipating something much different than what this was. Sounded like a thriller about a caring parent who does something drastic to her daughter’s bullies. But it was far from that. The book jumps around to multiple characters’ points of view, which to me works when its only maybe 2-3 characters. This went further, which just made the story hard to follow at times, especially when it came to Addison. I’m not sure if she was needed here at all, yet she was sort of positioned in an important role, which amounted to nothing. The story had a lot of great intrigue early on, but just got so overly complicated by the end, it became rather uninteresting. The writing quality is there, the length was perfect, the premise was really fun, the characters were good, but this just never fully came together for me. A simpler execution with a narrower focus would have fared much better here.
September 14, 2023
Setting: Western Australia; modern day.
Maeve's daughter Mila has been awarded a music scholarship at a prestigious public school but is suffering bullying, particularly from fellow student Addison and her boyfriend Rome. But, when Mila fights back, she ends up suspended for three days. Then Rome goes missing - and suspicions immediately fall on Mila and her family as somehow being responsible. After several days missing, the police begin to suspect that Rome may be dead - but then Mila starts to receive messages from Rome, saying that all the bullying was Addison's idea and that he needs Mila's help. Mila keeps these communications secret from both her family and the police - but are they genuinely from Rome and is she putting herself in danger by trying to help him?.....
Another very good read from this author - the third that I have read this year - with a twisty and unpredictable storyline and some good (although somewhat naive) characters. A bit more of an 'Aussie vibe' to this one! - 8.5/10.
Maeve's daughter Mila has been awarded a music scholarship at a prestigious public school but is suffering bullying, particularly from fellow student Addison and her boyfriend Rome. But, when Mila fights back, she ends up suspended for three days. Then Rome goes missing - and suspicions immediately fall on Mila and her family as somehow being responsible. After several days missing, the police begin to suspect that Rome may be dead - but then Mila starts to receive messages from Rome, saying that all the bullying was Addison's idea and that he needs Mila's help. Mila keeps these communications secret from both her family and the police - but are they genuinely from Rome and is she putting herself in danger by trying to help him?.....
Another very good read from this author - the third that I have read this year - with a twisty and unpredictable storyline and some good (although somewhat naive) characters. A bit more of an 'Aussie vibe' to this one! - 8.5/10.
June 20, 2023
Good mystery and quick read.
The story revolves around a missing teenager and questions what exactly has happened to him. As the story progresses we shift our opinion or if he's dead or alive and who did what and when.
What i really liked about this story was the clever approach the author takes in the telling. It's almost like reading each person of interest's private diary. It also serves to really suck you into the tale.
I'll be looking for other books by this author.
Recommend.
The story revolves around a missing teenager and questions what exactly has happened to him. As the story progresses we shift our opinion or if he's dead or alive and who did what and when.
What i really liked about this story was the clever approach the author takes in the telling. It's almost like reading each person of interest's private diary. It also serves to really suck you into the tale.
I'll be looking for other books by this author.
Recommend.
May 26, 2023
1.5 stars
I loved this book right up until the halfway point. It went from an awesome teen thriller to a mediocre, unrealistic teen drama/love story. Don't let teen daughters read!!!!
The book is told through four different POVs. First up is Maeve, the mother of Mila. Her daughters high-school tormentor has gone missing. The town bans together to find him. Secretly, Maeve is relieved that he won't be able to bully her child anymore. The school has always taken his side, being as he is popular and an athlete, but she still turns up to search even though the town thinks her family has no business being there.
Next, we meet Mila. Mila is being harassed by Rome. Unfortunately, she seems to also be the last one to see him before he went missing, at least as far as anyone knows. Mila is acting strange. At first, she seems over worried for Rome, but as the story progresses, she seems to become over involved in his disappearance and convinced that he will turn up unharmed. Even to the point of happiness. Until she to goes missing.
Next up is Jaxon. Jaxon is Mila's BFF. He is also the real person who saw Rome last. Jaxon is keeping secrets. Big ones that lead him down some very dark roads.
Last we meet Addison. Addison is Rose's girlfriend and seems to have no real reason to be given a POV. She just makes cryptic statements that don't really move the story along other than to let the reader know that there is more going on and the whole town is linked and keeping secrets.
Spoiler******
Rome is secretly texting Mila. That's how she knows he is alive and fine. Because classic "boys will be boys," he was mean to her because he likes her. Smh.
He has run away because he thinks his sports coach (who is also Addison's dad)) is in love with him. He is hiding out and only trusts Mila to help him🙄😕
Surprise, surprise, the coach kidnaps him. (He's not in love with a teen, just obsessed with reliving his youth through him) and takes Mila to. He wants to kill Mila to keep her and Rome apart.
In a not so shocking twist, the mothers band together to find their kids! Mila and Rome live happily ever after.
The book started of 4 stars, then nosed dived its way down to under 2.
Girls should NEVER have to put up with the torment Mila did all because Rome "liked" her. This book was wrong in more ways than I could count.
Let's not forget the thrown in stepbrother with the addict for a mom. The step dad who actually picked Rome up while he was "hiding" but kept it to himself until he became a suspect. Jaxon tried to kill himself because he punched Rome for his abuse towards Mila and thought he had hit Rome hard enough to kill him. (Mila never says a word about Rome being alive and well even after her BFF is in the hospital for attempting suicide)
EVERYONE in this book is horrible and a cliché of how NOT to be a good person.
I loved this book right up until the halfway point. It went from an awesome teen thriller to a mediocre, unrealistic teen drama/love story. Don't let teen daughters read!!!!
The book is told through four different POVs. First up is Maeve, the mother of Mila. Her daughters high-school tormentor has gone missing. The town bans together to find him. Secretly, Maeve is relieved that he won't be able to bully her child anymore. The school has always taken his side, being as he is popular and an athlete, but she still turns up to search even though the town thinks her family has no business being there.
Next, we meet Mila. Mila is being harassed by Rome. Unfortunately, she seems to also be the last one to see him before he went missing, at least as far as anyone knows. Mila is acting strange. At first, she seems over worried for Rome, but as the story progresses, she seems to become over involved in his disappearance and convinced that he will turn up unharmed. Even to the point of happiness. Until she to goes missing.
Next up is Jaxon. Jaxon is Mila's BFF. He is also the real person who saw Rome last. Jaxon is keeping secrets. Big ones that lead him down some very dark roads.
Last we meet Addison. Addison is Rose's girlfriend and seems to have no real reason to be given a POV. She just makes cryptic statements that don't really move the story along other than to let the reader know that there is more going on and the whole town is linked and keeping secrets.
Spoiler******
Rome is secretly texting Mila. That's how she knows he is alive and fine. Because classic "boys will be boys," he was mean to her because he likes her. Smh.
He has run away because he thinks his sports coach (who is also Addison's dad)) is in love with him. He is hiding out and only trusts Mila to help him🙄😕
Surprise, surprise, the coach kidnaps him. (He's not in love with a teen, just obsessed with reliving his youth through him) and takes Mila to. He wants to kill Mila to keep her and Rome apart.
In a not so shocking twist, the mothers band together to find their kids! Mila and Rome live happily ever after.
The book started of 4 stars, then nosed dived its way down to under 2.
Girls should NEVER have to put up with the torment Mila did all because Rome "liked" her. This book was wrong in more ways than I could count.
Let's not forget the thrown in stepbrother with the addict for a mom. The step dad who actually picked Rome up while he was "hiding" but kept it to himself until he became a suspect. Jaxon tried to kill himself because he punched Rome for his abuse towards Mila and thought he had hit Rome hard enough to kill him. (Mila never says a word about Rome being alive and well even after her BFF is in the hospital for attempting suicide)
EVERYONE in this book is horrible and a cliché of how NOT to be a good person.
May 31, 2024
what in the absolute wattpad thriller is this???
the whole premise is “a mother will do anything to keep her daughter safe.” but like …. Not really? Maeve the mom, is worried when her daughters bully suddenly goes missing. But instead of open communication and trying to establish some sort of trust, all Maeve does is snoop around and worry. And when her daughter starts texting someone mysterious, there is ZERO confrontation? Like oh you’ll do ANYTHING to keep her safe but educating your impressionable daughter on internet safety and stranger danger is just TOO much. Maeve did not really do anything to keep her daughter safe. Her daughter actually ended up getting kidnapped! Shocking!
I have so many big fat qualms with this book. At first, I thought it was just going to be from the POV of the mother and the daughter. And I can totally rock with dual POV. but then the author added in the missing boy, the missing boys girlfriend, the daughters randomly suicidal friend, the step dad, and the step brother. All of these were first person POVs, so needless to say it got very confusing.
the whole premise is “a mother will do anything to keep her daughter safe.” but like …. Not really? Maeve the mom, is worried when her daughters bully suddenly goes missing. But instead of open communication and trying to establish some sort of trust, all Maeve does is snoop around and worry. And when her daughter starts texting someone mysterious, there is ZERO confrontation? Like oh you’ll do ANYTHING to keep her safe but educating your impressionable daughter on internet safety and stranger danger is just TOO much. Maeve did not really do anything to keep her daughter safe. Her daughter actually ended up getting kidnapped! Shocking!
I have so many big fat qualms with this book. At first, I thought it was just going to be from the POV of the mother and the daughter. And I can totally rock with dual POV. but then the author added in the missing boy, the missing boys girlfriend, the daughters randomly suicidal friend, the step dad, and the step brother. All of these were first person POVs, so needless to say it got very confusing.
April 25, 2023
The Steps We Take By Vanessa Garbin
A mother will do anything to keep her family safe
Maeve’s daughter, Mila, was a happy teenager until the bullying started.
But the very day Mila fights back, one of her tormentors goes missing.
With Mila under suspicion and gossip raving, Maeve decides to trace her daughter’s missing classmate.
But the more she probes, the more everyone around her seems to have something to hide – even her step-son and partner at home.
And when Mila secretly starts texting with someone offering a way out, Maeve will have to act fast to keep her out of danger and her family together.
.....
My Review:
This story grabbed me from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s well written with great characters and the story is well developed.
This is the first book I’ve read by Vanessa Garbin but it won’t be the last.
A mother will do anything to keep her family safe
Maeve’s daughter, Mila, was a happy teenager until the bullying started.
But the very day Mila fights back, one of her tormentors goes missing.
With Mila under suspicion and gossip raving, Maeve decides to trace her daughter’s missing classmate.
But the more she probes, the more everyone around her seems to have something to hide – even her step-son and partner at home.
And when Mila secretly starts texting with someone offering a way out, Maeve will have to act fast to keep her out of danger and her family together.
.....
My Review:
This story grabbed me from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s well written with great characters and the story is well developed.
This is the first book I’ve read by Vanessa Garbin but it won’t be the last.
May 12, 2022
Enjoyed the book
Anyone who likes suspense fiction will love this book.. first time reading from this author and will read more from this author
Anyone who likes suspense fiction will love this book.. first time reading from this author and will read more from this author
October 24, 2022
Good story
Mila starts a new school and right away, the bullying starts. After one altercation, one of her tormentors disappears. Quite a few people in town seem to be keeping secrets. Everyone believes he's dead. Good story.
Mila starts a new school and right away, the bullying starts. After one altercation, one of her tormentors disappears. Quite a few people in town seem to be keeping secrets. Everyone believes he's dead. Good story.
February 23, 2023
Bullying
Misplaced bullying, because you're jealous of a girl that your boyfriend finds more attractive than you. But then you're not really that into him. Come to find out, it's not about bullying but about thereafter lives we live.
Misplaced bullying, because you're jealous of a girl that your boyfriend finds more attractive than you. But then you're not really that into him. Come to find out, it's not about bullying but about thereafter lives we live.
February 14, 2023
Lots of themes in this book
Thriller type of book
Good author
Thriller type of book
Good author
June 3, 2024
I can’t decide whether to give it a 2 or a 2.5 ⭐️
I did like the ending but my willing suspension of disbelief was absolutely obliterated a bit under halfway through the book. I kept reading because of the suspense and wanting to see if my willing suspension of disbelief was salvageable, but it was not. Perhaps because of my own history of living through DV at that age and how hyper aware I was and am of certain situations? Perhaps Australia doesn’t have as much of that hyper vigilance baked in to its culture and that’s contributing to not lining up with my experiences? I just can’t see a 16 year old girl making those sorts of decisions or a mom of said girl obviously calling out all sorts of red flags and yet being passive. Maybe my own experiences are coloring this too much for me, but I simply can’t recommend it.
I did like the ending but my willing suspension of disbelief was absolutely obliterated a bit under halfway through the book. I kept reading because of the suspense and wanting to see if my willing suspension of disbelief was salvageable, but it was not. Perhaps because of my own history of living through DV at that age and how hyper aware I was and am of certain situations? Perhaps Australia doesn’t have as much of that hyper vigilance baked in to its culture and that’s contributing to not lining up with my experiences? I just can’t see a 16 year old girl making those sorts of decisions or a mom of said girl obviously calling out all sorts of red flags and yet being passive. Maybe my own experiences are coloring this too much for me, but I simply can’t recommend it.
August 23, 2023
MILA IS SO DUMB! There was so much potential in this book but I just did not enjoy about 3/4 of it. It was a short audiobook so I did power through it but half way through it was pretty unbearable. I am surprised it has so many high ratings. Anyways this was just not for me.
December 6, 2025
You will not be able to put this book down it's that good!
This book Was titled correctly , But you will never guess the steps that they take as your lead Step by step through this Exciting book!
This book Was titled correctly , But you will never guess the steps that they take as your lead Step by step through this Exciting book!
May 29, 2022
The steps we take
A load of rubbish. No parents of teenagers allow so much freedom and families don't keep such important secrets. It made no sense at all
A load of rubbish. No parents of teenagers allow so much freedom and families don't keep such important secrets. It made no sense at all
December 19, 2022
2.5 rounded up
April 1, 2024
This book was good. I liked it very much. It wasn’t in my top 10% of books I’ve ever read, but I did enjoy it & do recommend it.
May 23, 2024
very random? not in a bad way necessarily but if it had been any longer, i probably wouldn’t have enjoyed. quick enough of a book that it was a good palate cleanser
May 28, 2024
I really liked it! It was so tense and kept me wondering whether anything was true, even though the last 1/4 fell flat (and was too predictable).
June 6, 2024
Short, enjoyable and kept me thinking the entire time. Very realistic plot.
June 8, 2024
A lot of lead up for a quick ending.
June 18, 2024
Wow this one is really good. It reads so fast, you will probaby read all the pages in one evening
November 16, 2023
2.5 stars. It was a quick and decent read. Engaging, but not particularly unpredictable.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews